A 58-year-old man who was knocked out at a Norwich pub last Sunday has suffered a stroke in hospital, his family have said.

The man, who has not been named, was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge after the assault at The Stores in Dereham Road.

Early reports suggested that the man was recovering in hospital but his brother-in-law, Michael Maloney, said yesterday that it was “premature” to say he was getting better.

Mr Maloney said: “He has had a brain operation and has suffered a stroke, so he is not very well at all. We expect him to remain at Addenbrooke’s for quite a long time.”

Detectives in Norwich have renewed their appeals for information about the assault, which took place between 12.50am and 12.55am on Sunday. Det Sgt Nigel Gillick, from Norwich CID, said: “We’ve had a good response from the witness appeal and officers are following up new lines of enquiry.

“The investigation continues and I would urge anyone who feels they may have important information to come forward and contact Norwich CID by calling 101.”

As reported, the victim was at the bar having a drink when he was approached by another man who punched him in the face, and knocked him to the floor.

He lost consciousness as a result of the incident and suffered serious injuries and was transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for treatment after initially being taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

After the attack, Georgina Barrett, landlady at The Stores, told The Evening News that a group of customers had taken umbrage when she told them she was closing up as they wanted to continue playing pool.

She said that the man who was attacked was a regular at the pub and that the person who assaulted him had arrived as part of a family group earlier that night, but there were just two men and their girlfriends from the group left in the bar when the attack happened.

The attacker left the scene after the assault and police are still believed to be looking for him.